Demonstration control adjunct device for printers

ABSTRACT

A printer, such as an ink-jet or laser printer is provided with a demonstration and activation member to illustrate operability of the printer. The print out is randomly, sequentially or a combination selected by a selection device to contain one or more selected value additions such as coupons for discount pricing for the printer itself, peripheral and the like, whereby the demonstration user keeps, rather than discards the print out.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to printers and particularly ink-jet and lasertype printers used with computers which are configured to providedemonstration pages which illustrate the operation thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer printers, particularly new or popular models, are oftendisplayed in stores, at sales presentation, at shows, exhibitions andthe like, for actual demonstration and enticement for possible unit orbulk purchase. In order to demonstrate the capability of a printer(currently many of such demonstrations relate specifically to operationof ink jet and laser type printers), for features such as speed, color,resolution, and clarity, particularly related to a specific pricecategory and intended use (e.g., professional, home, graphics design,desk-top publishing, office, etc.) the printer is often selfpre-programmed to print out a pre-designed demonstration page, carefullyset up to highlight the positive aspects of the printer's capability.

These demonstration pages are undated (except for a possible copyrightnotice) and are rarely changed throughout the marketing run life of theprinter model. At the end of the demonstration the user walks away fromthe printer with the demonstration page in hand which, once examined andpossibly compared, is often discarded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide aprinter and particularly an ink jet or laser printer with external,interfaced means for generating a demonstration printer output coupledwith an intrinsic value whereby a demonstration user retains all or partof the demonstration output.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide suchgeneration means with mechanical activation means and random, sequentialor a combination selection means for providing demonstration outputpages with different outputs.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide suchdemonstration outputs with both visual indication of printer capabilityand a redeemable premium such as a coupon.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide meansfor changing and/or updating the redeemable premium printoutparticularly if time restricted.

Generally the present invention comprises a printer demonstrationadjunct device adapted for connection to an input interface of a printersuch as to a serial, parallel or other input port. The device is adaptedto cause the printer to print out both demonstration capability imagesand text, demonstrating the operation of the specific printer connectedthereto. In addition, the device is adapted to cause printout of valueadded material, such as price-off coupons or redemption of premiums as areward for viewing the demonstration materials, in conjunction with orintegral with the demonstration materials.

The adjunct device comprises the following elements: a) a memory module,b) a logic module, c) an interface connector and d) an optional powercircuit.

The memory module can be a fixed or removable, pre-programmed orprogrammable storage device. In case of removable memory module theadjunct device comprises a removable module or similar device havinginterface means for connection to the control input of the printer, andoptionally is able to effect power diversion from the power supplied tothe printer to power itself thereby.

The logic module comprises an address generator and sequencer, and aclock oscillator, to effect appropriate printout from stored memory andhandshake logic adapted for the specific printer to which it isattached. The logic module may also contain a generator that causesselection of demonstration images randomly, sequentially or anycombination of these, coupled with selected value added images, such asof coupons for various items or purchase conditions, coupons fordiscounts or even free selected computer hardware, software, or even theprinter itself (or tie-ins with other items or services), and the like.The coupons may be time limited and accordingly the value added imagesmust be changeable, in such embodiment, to accommodate updated imagesand expiration dates. The adjunct device also can be used to print afixed, single demonstration page containing one or more value addedimages. The adjunct device, the logic module or part of the adjunctdevice may be built into one or more custom ASIC chips (applicationspecific integrated circuit) that include all relevant functions.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more evident from the following discussion anddrawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color.Copies of this patent with color drawings are provided to the Patent andTrademark Office with payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a printer with an interface and blockdiagram of the adjunct device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative example of a prior art demonstration printout;

FIG. 3 shows a demonstration printout generated by the printer ascontrolled with the device of the present invention with randomly,sequentially or combination selected different value added premiumsprinted thereon; and

FIG. 4 depicts a printer with demonstration activation effected by apull lever similar to those used in slot machines to generate thedemonstration printouts shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention the demonstration adjunctdevice is provided with hardware and programming means for controllingthe printer. This is embodied in either exchangeable ROM software, orRAM with accessing means for the updating and change thereof, forcontrolling the printer. attached thereto to print a standard typeprinter demonstration page with demonstration of printer capability andas part of the page also providing one or more redeemable coupons orpromotional literature adapted to induce the user to retain thedemonstration page. Other items such as bar codes and the like may beincluded therein. The programming means is configured to combine astandard demonstration page with either a single preset value addedprintout or with a preset series of value added printout materials fromwhich one or more are selected for printout either randomly,sequentially or a combination of these. Alternatively, the demonstrationpage and the value added portion are separated sheets.

In an embodiment of the present invention a series of printers, such asfrom a single manufacturer in a display are each provided with thedemonstration adjunct device of the present invention with said adjunctdevice having been programmed to print different random coupons whichmust be linked to obtain valid redemption of an item, i.e., the user isforced to try an entire series of printers (or products linked withprinters) to obtain linked redeemable coupons.

The memory module of the adjunct device may be a fixed or removable,programmable storage device. In the embodiment wherein it is removable,a suitable connector socket is integrated with the device in order toaccommodate the memory module.

The memory unit comprises two sets of pre-programmed information:

1) Printer control codes of the presentation (i.e., demonstration)image(s) and/or value added images, such as of coupons of various itemsor with purchase conditions or options;

2) Control codes for the adjunct operation, as used by the logic module.

The logic module comprises an address generator, and sequencer, a clockoscillator, and handshake logic adapted for the specific printer towhich it is attached. The module may also contain a random, sequentialor a combination generator that causes the selection of demonstrationimages (or a single demonstration image), coupled with selected valueadded images. The logic module is preferably built into a single ASICcustom chip (application specific integrated circuit) that includes allor parts of the functions of the adjunct device.

The interface connector provides connection means between the adjunctdevice and the printer.

The power circuit contains power diversion means for utilizing powerprovided to the printer by its power input.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With specific reference to the drawings, in FIG. 1, a prior art printer10 (of either the ink-jet or laser output variety) comprises a standardinterface connector 11 (Centronics, Serial, etc., depending on theprinter, with the specific type of connector being readily changeableand adaptable, i.e. a fungible connection). The adjunct device 12 of thepresent invention comprises a corresponding printer interface connector2 for connection to interface connector 11 of the printer with ahandshake protocol and data transmission and optionally with a source ofpower (though not shown, the adjunct device may separately comprise itsown power source). As schematically shown, the adjunct device comprisesprogrammable memory storage 1, which contains demonstration imagesand/or coupon type images for hard copy downloading via the connectedprinter. Custom chip 3 comprises the elements of address generator andsequencer 3 a, clock oscillator 3 b, handshake logic protocols 3 c andstart and stop address latches 3 d. The chip is also integrated withrandom generator 3 g, end of file pointer 3 e and pushbutton handler andblinker 3 f.

Programmable memory storage 1 may optionally be configured as aremovable module.

As shown in FIG. 2 (usually presented in color with ink-jet printers todemonstrate color capability as well as sharpness of text and graphics)is a typical demonstration printout 20 for an Epson® ink jet printerdemonstrating actual output of text 21 with details of printercapability and graphic images 22. Once the text, images and informationof the printout 20 are assimilated the sheet is often discarded.

As shown in FIG. 3, printout 40 is comprised of two parts, a fixeddemonstration part 4, which demonstrates operation of the printer withappropriate informative text, and a variable value added portion 5 whichis randomly selected from programmable storage 1 of premium options 6,via the random generator 3 g.

As a result, a potential consumer retains the printout 40 far longerthan the simple informative printout of the prior art, with resultantincreased recognition of the specific printer and source company.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, an additional element of interest isadded to a demonstration printout of a printer wherein the printer 7 isconfigured with an activation mechanism 8 which comprises a pull downlever 9, similar to that of a slot machine wherein various pulls of thelever provide demonstration copies with randomly selected printouts asshown in FIG. 3.

It is understood that the above description and drawings are simplyillustrative of the present invention and that changes may be made inthe adjunct device and connection as well as the format of the printoutsand the like without departing from the scope of the present inventionas defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printer demonstration adjunct device adaptedfor connection to an input interface of a printer, wherein the adjunctdevice comprises: a) memory means containing programmed printerdemonstration images and text, with said memory means further containingtext for at least one separate value added offer; b) logic means,comprising means for causing the printer to link and printout from thememory means the demonstration images and text together with said atleast one separate value added offer; wherein the memory means containstext for at least two separate value added offers; and wherein the meansfor causing the printer to link and printout from the memory means,comprises an address generator and sequencer, a clock oscillator, andhandshake logic adapted for a specific printer to which the device isconnected; and wherein the device further comprises random or sequentialgeneration means which couples a printout from the printer of thedemonstration images and text with a randomly or sequentially selectedtext selected from the at least two separate value added offers.
 2. Theadjunct device of claim 1, wherein the demonstration images and text andthe text for at least two separate value added offers are controlled tobe printed on separate sheets.